Fugitive in custody

A man on the run from law enforcement for the last four days is now in custody after being tracked down in Walton County Thursday night.

Eric Dewayne Russell, a 31-year-old with no known address, faces charges from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Coffee County Alabama Sheriff’s Office in connection with a recent crime spree involving stolen vehicles and attempts to elude capture.

The OCSO charges include grand theft of a firearm, grand theft of a vehicle, resisting arrest, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon.

Russell had been on the run since Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers initially attempted to pull him over for a traffic stop May 7 on U.S. Highway 90 near the Santa Rosa County line. Russell fled the scene and later got the truck stuck near railroad tracks off Al Gilman Road.

He then ran into the woods and disappeared.

Deputies later learned the truck he had been driving was reported stolen out of Coffee County Alabama. A handgun, also believed stolen, was recovered from inside the vehicle.

Investigators say Russell was able to elude a search in the Laurel Hill area yesterday by stealing a truck that had the keys inside. The effort to track him extended into Walton County, where on Thursday night Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies spotted him around 10 p.m. walking in the area of Adams Drive and Wallace Road.

Deputies apprehended Russell after a short foot pursuit. He was taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview for treatment before being transported to the Okaloosa County Jail.

Earlier in the day, an 11-year-old K-9 working dog from the Okaloosa Correctional Institute died while taking part in the search for Russell. Authorities suspect the dog, a female named Freckles, died of a possible heart attack from being overheated.

A procession of OSCO vehicles accompanied Freckles’ body back to the OCI.

“I understand she was a great tracking dog, and was so good they used her to help train other dogs,” said OSCO spokesperson Michele Nicholson. “I know people are saying she had a great reputation.”